Fall Bedroom Decor Ideas

Here are a few fall bedroom decor ideas you can add to your bedroom this fall! These fall decor ideas will help make your bedroom look warm and cozy and ready for fall! Here are some fall bedroom decor ideas you can add to your room! 



Some of these links are affiliate links meaning they cost the same price for you but I receive a small percentage of the sale for referring you to the product. Thank you for supporting a small business! 



Fall Bedroom Decor Ideas




Incorporate Natural Items and Textures 

You can get ready for fall by bringing in the outdoors. You can incorporate natural elements in your design such as wheat, grasses, or pampas grass. You can also display some mini pumpkins. I personally like white ones because they can complement your other bedroom decor items.




You can include other natural items like burlap, cotton, and linen in some of the textures of the fabric in your bedroom. 

Incorporate Warm and Earthy Tones

You can add extra blankets as throw blankets on the bed or draped on a chair. You can choose warm tones like oranges, browns, burgundy and reds. You could also include these colours in a rug on the bedroom floor or in candles with some nice fall scents. 



Click the button below to check out my cyanotype prints! 




How to Be an Artist


Learn how to be an artist. It is a lot simpler than you might think. Being an artist is fun to be able to make your own art and make money off your art but there are some business and administrative tasks involved. Keep reading, to learn more about how to be an artist.


How to Be an Artist 

Make art and sell it. I wish it were that simple but it doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often artists, including myself, get caught up with the never ending to-do list and forget to focus on the basics of making art and selling it. The number one focus for artists should be to make art and to sell art. 


Make Art

No famous artist made a masterpiece the first time they made art. It takes time and practice like any new skill. It also takes awhile to define what you want to make art about. What do you want to be known for? What art do you like making? In order to answer those questions you have to make a lot of art and focus on that daily if not weekly. 

Market Art/Sell Art  

When you aren’t making art it is important to share about your art while growing a community of fans. Build your social media platforms by posting consistently, grow your email list by offering a freebie or discount like free shipping on artwork and share about what you are making. 




It’s important to share about your art and process 80% of the time and then sell to your audience for the other 20%. 



Decide where you want to sell your art. Start small and simple first. You can sell on your website, Etsy, Amazon or a print on demand website like Society6. You can also try selling at local art markets. 

Once you have established an email list, one social media platform and making and selling art you can begin to add other elements to extend your business as an artist. Here are some ideas below:



How to Be an Artist - Ideas 

  • Affiliate marketing 

  • YouTube or Podcast

  • A blog 

  • Selling art on another platform

  • Adding another social media platform 

  • Apply to artist awards/grants 

  • Apply to artist residencies 

  • Apply to art exhibitions

  • Reach out to stores to pitch your artwork 

  • Teach a course or a workshop on an art technique you use

want to be an artist

Connect with me on social media by clicking on one of the icons below! Best of luck with your journey to becoming an artist! 

how to be an artist









How to Use a Sketchbook


Learn how to use a sketchbook and the various purposes of a sketchbook in this post. There are many ways to use a sketchbook and I want to share how I use a sketchbook as an artist. To learn how to use a sketchbook, keep reading! 


How to Use a Sketchbook

There are a number of ways to use a sketchbook. A sketchbook can hold many different purposes for an artist. Here are some of the ways a sketchbook can be used below! 


As a Journal 

You can use a sketchbook as a journal by recording ideas, notes, thoughts, plans etc. This is often how I use a sketchbook in my art practice so that I don’t forget ideas. 


As a Logbook

You can record dates and times you worked on a project to keep track of the hours you worked. You can treat your sketchbook as a scientist and record findings of what worked, what didn’t work and what you want to try next time. For example, you can keep track of colours of paint and ratios you used to mix a specific colour of paint for a painting. You could also record how long something took to dry or about an installation that didn’t go well and what you might do differently next time.  



As a Place to Brainstorm

You can use your sketchbook as a place to brainstorm ideas by making lists or mind maps to come up with ideas of what to create, what materials to use or what the title of an artwork should be. I often use my sketchbook in this way. 


As a Place to Plan

I will also use my sketchbook to create small thumbnail rough sketches of ideas for a final piece or how a project might be displayed. Often I will plan out a couple of ideas to see what I prefer in case something doesn’t turn out as planned. 



As a Place to Experiment 

You can use the pages of your sketchbook as a place to experiment and test out new ideas, materials or techniques. You could even label or record your different tests, so you remember what you did in the future. 


As a Place to Practice 

You can use it to practice drawing, composition, ideas, installation plans etc. 



A Place for Sketching/Drawing 

You can use it to practice sketching or drawing by drawing daily. You can carry your sketchbook with you in a bag to sketch what you see while you are waiting in a doctor’s office or waiting for the bus. You can draw what you see outside when you stop in the park during a walk. Or you can follow drawing prompts to help keep yourself inspired while practicing your drawing. 



A Place for Painting or Mixed Media 

Just like how you practice drawing or sketching you can practice painting or mixed media. There are sketchbooks you can buy specifically for painting or mixed media that have thicker paper and are able to hold paint or liquids without warping or wrecking the paper. 


As a Place for Research

You can record research, notes, inspiration, artists and artwork you admire etc. If your artwork is on a specific theme you might want to research that topic to inspire other ideas or to plan the title of the artwork.




These are some of the ways to use a sketchbook. As you can see you might choose multiple ways for how to use a sketchbook. There is no right or wrong way, you get to decide! 



Ways to Use Your Sketchbook More

To keep you inspired and use your sketchbook more, try to keep it in a place where you can see it daily or have multiple sketchbooks like one by your bed, one in the studio and one in your bag. 


You can also try my drawing prompts to keep you inspired and to practice your drawing skills. Click here to check them out! 




Related Articles:

How to Use Layers in a Sketchbook

Drawing Prompts for High School 

Art Journal Inspiration

How to Make Time for Art

Click here to download my FREE guide with 10 tips for creating your art portfolio for school applications!





Where to Find Art Inspiration

Where to find art inspiration? It’s not a hard question because inspiration can literally be anything that captures your eye and sparks an idea. Art inspiration is all around, looking to be found. Keep reading to discover where to find art inspiration. 



Where to Find Art Inspiration


Here is a list of places and ideas that might help you in finding art inspiration. You can also read about how to find inspiration here!

  • Go for a walk

  • Go on a hike 

  • Walk by the water 

  • Drive somewhere new 

  • Travel somewhere 

  • Go on a walk and see where it takes you don’t plan a destination

  • Go through an art supply store and see what you are gravitated towards

  • Watch a different type of video or listen to a different type of music than you normally wouldn’t watch or listen to

  • Walk in a local farmer’s market to be inspired by new scents and new food 

  • Read a different type of book or magazine 

  • Take a look at a garden centre or nursery 

  • Take a walk through a forest 

  • Take time to meditate or day dream and see what you think of 

  • Set a timer and begin writing non-stop for 20 minutes to see what you write about

  • Go to a thrift store and see where you are gravitated to

  • Read some poetry 

  • Spend some time gardening 

  • Go to the beach 

  • Learn a new skill or technique on YouTube

  • Explore on Pinterest - you can follow me here 



Trying something new and outside of your comfort zone or routine can help you see a new experience and gain inspiration. It is important to keep an open mind and allow yourself to be present in the moment so that you can really experience art inspiration when it comes to you. 

where to find art inspiration


Click here to download my FREE guide with 10 tips for creating your art portfolio for school applications!

Be sure to let me know where you found inspiration. Click on one of the icons below to connect with me on social media. 
where to find art inspiration




Handmade Paper Canada

I started making handmade paper canada products in 2016 during my Master of FIne Arts at Concordia University. I love the process of making handmade paper! To learn more about the handmade paper Canada creations that I sell, continue reading! 



Denim Handmade Paper Canada 

You can learn more about how to make handmade paper with denim here! I create sheets of denim paper in my art installation called sediment - you can read more about that here! 



I also sell handmade denim sheets of round paper in my shop. I experimented with mixing denim and abaca pulp to create a marbled look to the paper here. 


Vintage Doily Handmade Paper 

I love using collected vintage doilies and adding abaca pulp to create pieces of art. All of my handmade paper Canada ships unframed allowing you to choose the frame that suits the artwork and your interior design style. 


Handmade Map Paper 

I sell round handmade map paper circles that look lovely framed. I have also used my handmade map paper to create my series Patched. You can learn more about the work in this book! 


I have also taken the handmade sheets of paper and letter pressed them with poems I wrote as part of an OAC grant in 2022. You can see photos of the map paper poems below. 

handmade paper canada
handmade paper art


FAQ on Handmade Paper Canada 


Do you offer refunds?

Refunds are provided if an artwork arrives damaged. Although this is rare, it can happen during the delivery process. Proof of the artwork damaged in a photograph is required to obtain the refund.


I love this art but I’m unsure where to hang it?

You can check out this blog post for some ideas to get you started!


How do I choose the right frame for this art?

I recommend framing my art in a white or wooden frame. However, please take a look at this blog post for more help!


I still have questions; how can I get in touch?

You can email me at jackiepartridgeart@gmail.com I will try to get back to you within 48 hours.



Handmade Paper Canada 

Click the button below to take you to my handmade paper art shop! 








Round Floral Stickers and Oval Stickers


Round floral stickers and oval floral stickers are navy blue stickers made through the cyanotype process by artist Jackie Partridge. These cyanotype prints are then scanned and professionally printed on stickers in a round or oval shape. You can learn more about the round floral sticker and oval stickers by reading below.

These daisy stickers are made through the cyanotype process by artist Jackie Partridge. They are blue and white matte stickers and come in an oval or circle shape. These daisy stickers are durable and perfect for laptops, water bottles and more!


Size Info:

Oval Stickers - 75 mm x 50 mm

Circle Stickers - 76 mm x 76 mm


Ideas for Your Round Floral Stickers or Oval Floral Stickers 

  • Give the stickers as a gift 

  • Put the stickers on your laptop

  • Put the stickers on a water bottle 

  • Stick them on a phone case or Ipad case

  • Put them on a helmet

  • Put them on a makeup case

  • Put them on a journal 

  • Stick them on a planner or binder

  • Send them to a friend in a card

  • Put them on a travel mug 

  • Put them on a guitar

  • Put them on a lunch box or cooler



FAQ About the Stickers

Do you offer refunds?

Refunds are provided if an artwork arrives damaged. Although this is rare, it can happen during the delivery process. Proof of the cards damaged in a photograph is required to obtain the refund.


I still have questions; how can I get in touch?

You can email me at jackiepartridgeart@gmail.com I will try get back to you within 48 hours.


How are the stickers made?

The stickers are made through a chemical process and sunlight called a cyanotype. The chemicals are exposed to the sun and turn blue -also known as a blueprint. This design was scanned, edited, and is professionally printed on stickers.



Other information:

Price includes tax. Standard shipping is FREE to Canada and $9.99 to the U.S.

Shipping to other countries and express shipping is available in the checkout.





Click here to purchase round floral stickers or oval stickers




Check out my other floral stickers and prints in my print shop by clicking on the button below! 





Small Paper Houses

I started creating small paper houses in 2016, calling this series Tree Houses. The small paper houses has been an ongoing series of photographs where I place the paper houses in parts of the natural environment like woodpecker holes, on stumps and between leaves. To learn more about the series of small paper houses, keep reading! 

Much of my current practice involves working outdoors as my studio and using paper to add or transform an area of a landscape that is close to me and I have spent time with. I see both the process of making the work and documenting the work in a photograph as the artwork.

 

In the Tree Houses series, I create miniature brown paper houses and place them in the landscape as tiny villages on tree stumps and in nooks and crannies of the natural environment. The houses are varied in size. After placing them, I take a photograph and remove the house to place it in a new location next time.  This series signifies the idea that home can be made where you make it and the importance of valuing the natural environment as a home. The small paper houses create miniature worlds or communities within the photo that is taken. 

I like taking the paper houses with me on hikes and walks to be able to capture new photos to add in the series. I would like to create a book of the small paper houses in the future.

small paper houses


You can take a look at some of the small paper houses series in the images below. 

small paper houses
small paper houses

This series of Tree Houses has been featured in:

  • Art Promenade (Photograph of Treehouses), City of Waterloo Public Art Installation in 2022

  • State of Becoming, Button Factory Arts, Waterloo, ON in 2017

  • Tree House (select photograph) Tiny Spoon (Issue 10) in 2023






To connect with me, please click on any of the icons below! Leave a comment below letting me know which photo you love from the series. 







What Does Canva Pro Do?

What does Canva Pro do? What are some of the benefits of Canva Pro versus the free-trial? There is a lot that Canva Pro can do. If you want to learn more about what does Canva Pro do, keep reading.


What Does Canva Pro Do?

what does canva pro do


Canva Pro Benefits 

  • Has more storage of designs 

  • Has more design elements to choose from

  • Able to organize in unlimited folders

  • More design templates to choose from

  • Able to add brand colours and logos easily

  • Resize designs 

  • Background remover in photos

  • Social media scheduler

  • More customer support 


What I Use Canva Pro For as an Artist

Here are some of the ways I use Canva Pro as an artist most commonly in my business:

  • Make Pinterest pins

  • Social media posts for sales 

  • Email freebies 

  • Facebook posts 

  • YouTube covers 

  • Digital products to sell

  • List of art materials for workshops 

  • Graphics for ads

  • Certificates of authenticity for artwork

  • Staging artwork in photographs 


What I Like About Canva Pro as an Artist

The following are Canva Pro features that I use most frequently in my Canva designs as an artist.


Organization with Unlimited Folders

Once you begin to use Canva Pro you will begin to see all the uses you can use it for. It is handy to be able to organize your designs in different categories like a folder just for Instagram posts, so that you can easily find your designs. 


Background Remover 

I like the feature of the background remover. You can literally press one button and it will remove the background. This can be handy to make your designs look more interesting and professional! 



Brand Colours and Logo

With the brand kit feature you can easily add in your logo on your designs and change colours in a template or a design with just one click. By setting up your brand colours you will have a consistent and professional look to all the designs you create! 

Resizing Designs

If you create an instagram post design you can click the resize button and easily size it to a Facebook post, Instagram story post etc. 



As you can see Canva Pro has a lot of great perks for a very affordable price. To try Canva Pro for free for 30 days you can click on the button below.

what does canva pro do






Handmade Paper Making Supplies You Need!

Handmade paper making supplies can be found all over the place. Making handmade paper is an inexpensive hobby. I want to show you where you can get your handmade paper making supplies so you can make your own paper. Keep reading to learn about the handmade paper making supplies you need to get started. 



Handmade Paper Making Supplies -Retailers 

Here are the places I like to get my paper making supplies from: 

  • PaperTrail in New Dundee, ON 

  • Carriage House Paper in New York

  • Thrift stores 

  • Amazon

Handmade Paper Making Supplies

You can check out the above retailers for where to buy the following paper making supplies:

  • Water/hose and sprayer

  • A plastic apron- there’s lot’s of water involved

  • A large vat 

  • A plastic folding table 

  • Rubber boots - your feet will get wet

  • Strainer

  • Measuring cups

  • Food scale 

  • A place to dry your paper like an old screen window or hanging on a clothesline

  • Mould and deckles - varying sizes 

  • Pulp - I like using cotton or abaca in sheets 

  • Wool felts

  • A large 5 gallon bucket 

  • Squeegee for easy clean up

  • Jiffy mixer with drill to attach it to

  • You can also use a blender and some scrap paper if you are looking for a more DIY look to paper making or you are just starting out. 



Extra Handmade Paper Making Supplies 

  • Hollander beater 

  • Other forms of pulp

  • Pigments 

  • Rubber gloves 

  • Books about paper making or a beginner paper making course

  • Additives like formation aid


Check out my other paper making blog posts:

How to Make Handmade Paper with Plants 

How to Make Handmade Paper with Denim



Click the button below to check out my handmade paper art shop! 

handmade paper making supplies




Advice for First Year Students in Art Programs

Attending an art university or college program can be a difficult transition from high school. Here is my advice as someone who went to a university art program. Below is some advice for first year students in art programs!


You can read about my undergraduate experience at Lakehead University here and my Master of Fine Arts at Concordia University here.


Advice for First Year Students in Art Programs

advice for first year students

Art Projects 

My advice for first year students is to try your best. You don’t want to leave your art projects for the last minute. Oftentimes, art projects are worth a large percentage of your overall grade. You want to make sure that you have enough time to follow the creative process. Time to plan your project, brainstorm ideas, test and experiment with materials and techniques, complete the design, add finishing touches and think about how you want to present your work. 


Balancing Time 

Living on your own comes with a lot of excitement. There are new friends, parties and more. You want to make sure you are balancing your time so that you are still having fun but also getting your school work done. If you have a part-time job or are in a relationship with someone you are going to have more to balance. Make sure you are thinking about what your priorities are and planning accordingly. 

advice for first year-students

Managing Time 

Once you have figured out how to balance your time and what your priorities are, you want to begin to manage your time. Maybe you have to say no to a party to get your work done. Maybe you need to get up earlier on the weekend. Begin to use a planner and plan out how you are spending your time in between classes, in the evenings and on the weekend.


Studying 

In art school there are still tests and exams to study for like art history and the elective classes you are taking. Just like with the art projects make sure you are not leaving studying until the last minute especially during exam time. You also want to think about what you need to study and do what works for you. Don’t be tempted to join a study group in a noisy cafe if you prefer to study by yourself somewhere quiet. 


Advice for First Year Students- Art Critiques 

My advice for first year students is to try your best for art critiques but don’t take what your professors are taking literally. They are saying things to make you a better artist. They are not saying things because they don’t like you. As long as you are showing artwork you are proud of, you will do great. 


This is my advice for first year students. I wish you the best of luck during your time in art school. It is such a fun time to be able to experiment with your artwork and to have so much time to focus on your artwork! If you haven’t gotten into art school yet -check out my tips for creating an art portfolio for school! 



Great Art Supplies to Try!

I wanted to share some great art supplies with you. I am a mixed media artist so there are a lot of art supplies that I use in my art practice. Here is a list of great art supplies that I love. Be sure to check out these great art supplies!


Some of the links are affiliate links meaning I get a very small commission each time someone purchases from my link. This helps to support my business- thank you! 

Great Art Supplies 

Great Art Supplies -Painting

I love Golden Acrylic Paints and Golden acrylic fluids. The fluids are like an ink/dye and very nice for painting on fabric! 

Posca Pens - I have made lots of painting tutorials with Posca Pens. They are paint markers that can paint on a variety of surfaces. The pens come in different size tips and are great for adding writing, detail and outlines to a painting easily. 


Princeton brushes are the brushes I use most often. I also like Artist Loft brushes that are a bit cheaper but still a pretty good quality. 


Great Art Supplies- Paper making

I like moulds and deckles from the Papertrail they are based out of New Dundee. I also get most of my paper making supplies from there including different types of pulp. 


Great Art Supplies -Software

I love Canva Pro - you can read more about it in this article. It is a great computer program and mobile app to create marketing materials and designs. It is easy to use and organize files. You can try the 30 day FREE trial here! 


Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom- I love Lightroom for editing photos. It is so easy and fast. I love Photoshop to edit more details in photos or create patterns and designs with photos I have taken. 




Great Art Supplies -Books

These books have really helped my business by taking it to the next level. 


Storybrand by Donald Miller

Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill 


I hope you love these great art supplies as much as I do. Let me know which one is your favourite in the comments below! Happy shopping! 


Related Articles: 

21 Books for Artists to Read
10 of my Favourite Painting Supplies

great art supplies for artists

My Thoughts on Being an Artist Mom

My baby will be due soon and this is the first time I will be an artist mom. Being a mom will be difficult and tiring but being an artist mom has a different level. I have thought a lot about how I will balance being both an artist and mom during my pregnancy. Here are some thoughts and ideas about being an artist mom. 


Challenges of Being an Artist Mom

Here are some challenges of being an artist mom. I think it is good to think about what will be difficult and try to plan for it as best as possible. 


  • Being lonely

  • Being tired

  • Time management 

  • Not feeling like I am doing a good job in both being an artist or being a mom

  • Not accomplishing goals 

  • Being too hard on myself 


Ideas for How to Be an Artist Mom

My baby isn’t born yet but being an artist mom is something I am actively planning and thinking about. Here are some thoughts below. Of course take them with a grain of salt. I will report back to see what works and what doesn’t later! 



The Challenges and the Solution Ideas 

Being Lonely

Luckily I will have a couple of friends on maternity leave at the same time as me. I think it is nice to have a support system of moms going through a similar journey to help you not feel so alone. I also want to check in with my husband regularly to speak about how we are feeling since this is our first baby. I plan on meeting other moms at the library programs or in the community too. I will get involved with business and artist Facebook groups to help me feel less alone. 



Being Tired

Being tired is something I don’t think I can solve! I have been very tired during this pregnancy and I’m sure when the baby is here it will be x10 or x100? I plan on batching activities like cleaning, meal prep, business jobs in my art business, as well as asking for help. 



Time Management

I want to really use my planner and plan what are some goals I want accomplished each day, goals both in my art business and around the house. I plan on just choosing 3 things and maybe just one goal in the first few months. I also plan on batching similar tasks, asking my husband and other people for help.



Not feeling like I am doing a good job in both being an artist or being a mom

I think this one will be the hardest. I am definitely my worst critic. It’s also hard not to compare yourself to other moms or other artists. I will definitely lean in to my husband for support, I will have to cut back on projects and say no to some things and I’m sure I will have to choose how I am spending my time wisely. I also want to have a home studio so that I have opportunities, even just for 20 minutes during the day to make art. 

artist mom




Not accomplishing goals 

I love making goals and it is hard not to feel defeated when a goal isn’t reached. This year I need to be more realistic about my goals and the time I will have. I will need to ask for more help and I will need to say no to things so that I have more time. Not accomplishing my goals is also a fear that I have. I still want time to work on my goals so I think it will be important to try to find balance. 



Being too hard on myself 

I am extremely hard on myself. I am going to really have to make sure I am taking care of myself with self-care so that I don’t become burnt out or overwhelmed. That seems to be when I am hardest on myself. 



I hope these ideas are helpful and work out. I’m looking forward to my little one and this next chapter of my life being an artist mom! 


Follow along on my journey by clicking on one of the icons below!





How to use Canva Pro as an Artist 

Canva Pro is a great online tool to use if you are a content creator, small business owner or artist. I will share how to use Canva Pro as an artist and why Canva Pro is great for artists to use. You will also learn about the differences between Canva Pro and Canva’s free version. Find out why I love using Canva Pro as an artist below!


The Difference Between Canva Pro and Free Canva 

The biggest difference between free Canva and Canva Pro is the range of features and templates that are available. Canva Pro users have access to over 60 million high-quality stock photos, illustrations, and vectors, while free users are limited to just over 1 million. In Canva Pro, you can also better organize your digital files because you have more storage space and more compatibility to have unlimited folders. 


How to use Canva Pro 

There are lots of free Canva Pro tutorials online and on YouTube. I encourage you to download the free version of Canva first or use my affiliate link to try a 30 day Free Trial of Canva Pro to see if you like it first. Canva Pro is a great investment in my business. It is a yearly subscription that costs about $150 dollars a year. This isn’t much for the amount of time it saves in my business. I create a lot on Canva Pro so the subscription pays for itself! 



How to Use Canva Pro As An Artist

There are lots of features of Canva Pro that are helpful to artists. Here are some ideas.

  • Use Canva Pro to make Pinterest Pins to promote your artwork - choose from Canva’s templates 

  • Make instagram stories or reel covers to advertise your artwork - again Canva Pro has lots and lots of templates to choose from which will save you time.

  • Save your brand colours and logo in Canva Pro to easily add them into a design 

  • Create graphics for your blog

  • Design a logo for your business

  • Create YouTube thumbnails

  • Design instagram or Facebook posts 

  • Create designs to print on mugs, cards, stickers, t-shirts and more! 

  • Create and store branding images for your website

  • Create videos and animations for your website or social media 

  • Create digital downloads or prints to sell

  • Create Freebies for people to opt-in on your email list. 


There are so many possibilities with Canva Pro the possibilities are truly endless! Here is the link to try Canva Pro for 30 Days for free! (It is an affiliate link meaning I get a small commission each time someone uses my link)


Related Articles: 

Try Canva Pro

10 of my favourite painting products

My Maternity Leave Canada EI

How I am spending my maternity leave Canada EI. In April after Easter, I will be going on maternity leave in Canada with EI for my first child with my due date on May 5. I am taking a month off early because this is my first child and I don’t know what to expect. In Canada the maternity can be 18 months or 12 months. Learn more about my maternity leave Canada EI plans below!

maternity leave canada ei

During this time I want to prepare for the new baby and get the nursery ready and make sure that I am relaxed and fully comfortable. My husband and I are also moving 3 and half hours away, so we need to get the new house ready too! I have decided to take a maternity leave for 12 months. While on maternity leave, I will also be working on my art business. I hope to make new art education resources that I can sell in my teachers pay teachers shop as well as create new artwork that I can sell online. I also plan on creating new designs for my Society6 store And some new YouTube videos for my YouTube channel.



I also plan on applying to different art exhibitions and art grants. I know that these are probably ambitious goals but even if I’m working on my art business just 30 minutes a day I think that will really help progress my business. In the future, I would like to be a full-time artist working from home. I want to use this maternity leave to really propel my business forward.


Before taking my maternity leave, I want to have some pre-planning done in advance. I plan on having my blogs drafted and scheduled on both of my websites all the way until September. I also want to have YouTube videos scheduled all the way until September or October. I would like to have at least three weeks to four weeks of Pinterest pins scheduled in advance as well. This will allow me to have more time to focus on healing and spending precious time with my new baby .



In the first few months, I know that I won’t have a lot of time to work on my art, however, working on my art is a form of self-care and it’s really important to me. I want to make sure that I have my art supplies set up in my new studio, ready to go so I know that even if I only have a 20 minute break I have things already set up and ready. I am going to try to make sure that my studio stays clean and tidy so that I feel comfortable working in there and using the space more often. I’m going to make sure that I’m communicating with my husband and planning some time during the week, so I at least have one hour every week where I can be making art. My husband is really supportive and does a great job in helping with household chores and cooking which will give me more time to work on my artwork.

The maternity leave Canada EI is a nice option to be able to stay and bond with your baby while healing and adjusting to being a mom. Since this is my first time being a mom, I know it will be a big adjustment. I am grateful for the maternity leave Canada EI.


Follow me on social media to stay connected during this busy time! Click on one of the icons below!

Canada Artist Grant 



I received a Canada artist grant with th Ontario Arts Council last year and worked on a project that Canada artist grant. I was awarded a grant of $2000 for emerging artists to learn a new skill or for professional development including the purchase of new art supplies. You can learn more about this Canada artist grant in this post!



Canada artist grant/OAC artist grant proposal

For my Canada artist grant I chose to focus on papermaking in my application. I proposed learning how to make paper out of plants and learning how to use the letterpress machine. I wanted to letterpress some of my Patched poems on handmade pieces of map paper I made. I also proposed to purchase some mould and deckles to help me with papermaking some abaca and cotton pulp, a vat and other paper making supplies. 


Canada artist grant/OAC artist grant 

I chose to work with a local paper making company the Papertrail to be able to learn about paper making easier. The Papertrail is based out of New Dundee, Ontario. That’s also where I attended workshops, completed my letterpress poetry project and ordered my papermaking supplies. 


I attended 5 paper making workshops in total with the grant money. A basic beginner paper making workshop, two workshops on making paper with plants and two on using the letterpress. 

Canada artist grant


About the Paper making Workshops 


The Beginner Papermaking Workshop 

This workshop took place in August of 2022 and in this workshop I learned basic skills and refined my paper making skills. We also learned how to use pigments in paper and got to experiment with the sheets of paper we made. 



Letterpress Workshop #1 

I did this workshop in November, during this workshop I learned how to use the letterpress and the history of the letterpress. I also did some test prints of some text with the letterpress. 

canada artist grant with paper making


Paper Making with Plants Workshop

This workshop was a two day back to back workshop in December. In these workshops I learned how to make paper from plants. I made paper from the stems and pods of milkweed as well as from flax. I got to use their hollander beater and beat the pulp by hand. 



Letterpress Workshop #2 

This workshop happened in December. I got to complete my Patched poem project and letterpress 5 different poems I wrote onto handmade map paper. 


All of these workshops were full day workshops. I am grateful for the Canada artist grant with OAC and being able to develop my paper making skills as an artist as well as being able to complete a project and purchase new paper making supplies.  


You can purchase my book Patched that has more poems here!


Related Articles:

How to make paper out of denim

Microgrant with cyanotypes

OAC grants

Patched Book



How are Paper Made with Plants 


How are paper made with plants? Paper can be made with natural fibres whether it is plants or a material that comes from plants like 100% cotton fabric. Learn how are paper made with plants below!


How are paper made with plants - the process 

When making paper with plants the fibres of the plants need to be weakened. Naturally a plant has strong fibres and has a lot of strength. 

how are paper made with plants

The paper above is made with milkweed seeds as part of my OAC grant in 2022.

How are paper made with plants 

How are paper made with plants - Harvesting

There are a lot of books and online resources to explain how to make paper with plants. First of all, you need to decide what plants you want to use to make paper. You can begin by harvesting or collecting those plants. Different parts of the plant will make different kinds of paper like different types of plants will make different types of paper. 




For example, you can make paper with leaves, stems, seeds, or buds/flowers of the plant and they will all form different types of paper. 

The paper above is made with flax as part of my OAC grant in 2022.

It’s always good to collect lots of plants. You want to collect at least ¾ of a pound of that same part of the plant. You don’t want to mix different parts of the plant together because they are all going to take different times to weaken. For instance, a stem is stronger than a leaf so it is going to take longer for that fibre to weaken so it will be soft enough to make a sheet of paper. 




How are paper made with plants - Cooking

Next you will want to begin researching to determine how long you will want to cook/boil the plant so that you can weaken the plant fibres. You will need a large pot and you will want to use a different pot then the one you use to cook your meals. You can find lots of large pots at the thrift store.





You will also need a long spoon to stir the plant. You can keep checking it every 20-30 minutes to see if the plant is getting softer. You want the plant to begin to break apart. 

The paper above is made with stems from milkweed as part of my OAC grant in 2022.

How are paper made with plants - Blending/Beating the Pulp

After the plant has been cooking and is soft you can transfer the mixture to be able to blend it or beat the pulp. Certain pulp could be mixed in a blender, a hollander beater or with a Jiffy Mixer. Some pulp-like stems that are a bit tougher or woody could be beaten with a hand paddle to create the pulp. You want to mix/blend/chop the pulp into small pieces so that they can come together like puzzle pieces when you form your sheet of paper. 


How are paper made with plants - Forming the Sheet

Once you have your plant pulp ready to go you can pour it into a vat which is a large container of water. You will also need a mould and deckle to make your paper. Begin pouring in about 250mL of the pulp into your vat. Stir the pulp so that it floats and doesn’t settle at the bottom of the vat. Scoop your mould and deckle by skimming the surface of the water and collecting the pulp. You will have to practice with this.


Then remove the frame and press the pulp off the screen and onto some sheets of felt. Separate each sheet of paper with a sheet of felt and repeat the process. 


How are paper made with plants - Pressing and Drying

Once you have your stack of papers you will need to press the water out of the pages. You can use a paper press or squeeze the water out with pressure. 


You can then place the paper in a drying rack by carefully peeling the paper off the felt. The paper will need to dry for 24 hours.


Now you know how are paper made with plants and you can begin harvesting and experiments with different types of plants to make your own paper! 


You can see more of my handmade paper here!

Related Articles:

How to Make Paper Out of Denim

Paper Art Installation

Shop Handmade Paper

OAC Grant for Paper Making






Tips on How to be Organized 


Here are some tips on how to be organized as an artist. I will share some resources and supplies I used to stay organized in my business as an artist.


Tips On How To Be Organized As An Artist 

Tips On How To Be Organized - the Studio 


Whatever size your studio is, it is important to make use of the space and keep the studio as organized as possible. I have had small studios in the past and larger studios and if they are not set up properly with a place for everything they will easily become a dumping ground. 


Once you have a studio space whether it is at home or somewhere else, you want to start by planning out your space. I like to use a page in my sketchbook to map out the floor plan of the studio and decide where the furniture will be and where different zones of my studio will take place.

Depending on the type of art you do your studio may be different and have different zones. Here are some studio zones you might want to consider in your studio. 


A space to make art

 (If you do mixed media art like myself you might need different zones) For example, I do some sewing so, I will need a desk with my sewing machine and a cart or shelves with supplies like fabric, thread, bobbins, needles etc. I also do acrylic painting so I will need an easel or a table to paint on and a spot in my studio to store painting supplies like canvases, paint and brushes. I also like working on the floor sometimes, so it’s important that furniture is on wheels so I can move it easily or something like an easel can be folded up when it is not in use, so I have more floor space. 





A space to store finished art 

As a fine artist, I need a place to store finished artwork that I plan on showing in future exhibitions. I have a lot of art that I have made over the years. A place like a walk in closet or shelf space with waterproof and UV protected (dark) storage containers works best. I like to label my artwork bins so I can easily see the art that is in that box and so that it is easy to find when needed. 





A space to market art/work on the computer 

I have a desk in studio in which I have created an office space. This has my computer, printer and office supplies. I also hang some inspiration on a bulletin board with some motivational quotes to keep me inspired as I work. I have also added a diffuser that I use with essential oils as I work to help me concentrate. 





A space to film/photograph art 

I have a YouTube channel - Jackie Partridge Art and a social media presence. Video content is important on all social media sites. I keep an area of the studio clean and often keep my filming equipment set up with lights so I am ready to film when I need to. I also have some white wall space where I can easily photograph art that I am working on both in-progress and completed work. 





A space to package and ship art 

I have an online business where I sell original artwork and stickers. I have some shelves where I store all of the art that I have listed on my website for sale, so it can be easily found. I also have some shelf space where I store shipping supplies like tape and scissors.





Spaces to Store Art Supplies 

In each zone of making different types of art there are different supplies I need. I store those needed supplies in their designated zone. I use some rolling carts to store these supplies as well as some shelves. I also use various containers, jars and baskets I have collected from the thrift store over the years. I like to have my supplies visible so that I know where everything is but it also serves as a visual reminder to make more artwork. I like using clear containers so I can easily find what I am looking for.




Tips On How To Be Organized- the To-Do List 

As an artist and owner of a business there is always a never-ending to-do list. I try my best to keep track of it. 


Here are some basic tips on how to be organized:

  • I use a lot of list and have different sized sticky notes in my studio 

  • I will often email myself reminders of things to print or websites to check out later when I am on the computer 

  • I use the reminders app on my phone frequently

  • I keep a notebook by my bed for ideas


A Paper Planner 

I have a paper planner that I carry with me at all times. I like using the Clever Fox Planner. I have also really liked planners from Indigo in the past. What I love about the Clever Fox Planner is that there is a spot to write down goals, a vision board and monthly and weekly planning. There is also a spot to write and record daily habits. You can check out the planner here.  


A Calendar 

I have a calendar hanging in my studio that shares important dates like when I am having an art sale or need to install art at a gallery. I use different colours and stickers to highlight different things. I also have my goals posted and break my goals down into quarters of the year and have those posted so I can assign myself deadlines and check in on my progress during the year. 

tips on how to stay organized


An Online Tool - I Use Asana 

Asana is a website and a free phone app that you can use to keep track of your goals and to-do list. I like Asana because it stores my lists digitally. I can organize my lists into different categories or boards and I can check off when I have completed a task which is extremely helpful. 


Tips On How To Be Organized- the Computer 

Google Drive 

I use Google Drive to store all of my files and pictures. I use a couple of backup drives to store digital art designs, digital products and videos. I back up my computer regularly just in case. I organize my files in folders on Google Drive and colour code the folders so they are easily accessible. I also keep track of links I refer to regularly on a Google Sheet. 


Canva Pro

Canva Pro is where I create my digital products and my graphics like Pinterest pins or Instagram posts. All of my files are sorted and stored in folders so they can easily be found.

I hope these tips on how to be organized can help you with being a more organized artist!  Be sure to click on any of the links in this post to check out some of the organizational products I mentioned. 



Related Articles: 

Free 30 Day Canva Pro Trial 

6 Tips for Hitting Your Art Goals

5 Tips to Stay Motivated as an Artist

Download my FREE guide if you are applying to art school






Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Mom


I have compiled a list of Valentine’s Day gift ideas for mom  to help you with getting mom something nice for Valentine’s Day!  Valentine’s Day is a great way not only to show the love for your partner but to show you care about your mom too. Here are some great Valentine’s Day gift ideas for mom! 



Some of the links mentioned in this post are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission for every purchase (It is the same price for you regardless of if you use my link or not).




 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Mom

For the Mom with Great Taste! 


These gifts are for a mom who owns their own home and is looking to redecorate or turn a new house into a home. Original artwork helps to bring a design to completion and make a room something special where you enjoy spending your time. 


Click here to shop Original Handmade Paper Art 

Click here to shop Original Cyanotypes 

Click here to have a commission done by me

 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Moms Who Like Stickers! 

Click here to see the round and oval Daisy Stickers 

For the Mom that is Hard to Buy for! 

Sometimes there are people that are hard to buy for! If you know someone who likes my art -consider getting them a gift card! You can purchase a gift card here for varying amounts! 





Valentine’s Day is about showing and telling people you care about that you love them. I wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day this year and every year! 





Don’t forget to save 15% by signing up for my email list below! 






Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Friends

I have compiled a list of Valentine’s Day gift ideas for friends to help you with getting a friend or family member something nice for Valentine’s Day!  Valentine’s Day is a great way not only to show the love for your partner but for people who are always there for you like your closest friends. Here are some great Valentine’s Day gift ideas for friends! 

Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links meaning I get a small bonus when a purchase is made (it’s the same price for you! )



 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Friends


For the Friend with Great Taste! 

These gifts are for a best friend who owns their own home and is looking to redecorate or turn a new house into a home. Original artwork helps to bring a design to completion and make a room something special where you enjoy spending your time. 

Click here to shop Original Handmade Paper Art 

Click here to shop Original Cyanotypes 

Click here to have a commission done by me!

 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Friends Who Like Coffee! 

Check out the Pine Coffee Mug

Check out the Palm Leaf Coffee Mug

Check out the Daisy Coffee Mug



For the Friend that Loves Clothes! 

Check out the Daisy T-shirt 



 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Friends Who Enjoy a Sentimental Card! 

Check out the Daisy Cards!



 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Friends Who Like Stickers! 

Click here to see the round and oval Daisy Stickers 

 




For the Friend that is Hard to Buy for! 

Sometimes there are people that are hard to buy for! If you know someone who likes my art -consider getting them a gift card! You can purchase a gift card here for varying amounts! 




Valentine’s Day is about showing and telling people you care about that you love them. I wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day this year and every year! 




Don’t forget to save 15% by signing up for my email list below! 





Goals for 2023


I always like to make goals for myself each year. Here are my goals for 2023! I have divided my goals for 2023 into different categories. When I am making goals I try to be as specific as possible to help make the goals attainable. I want to be realistic with my goals so I know I can achieve them but I think there needs to be a stretch or a reach goal so you have to work for it. If a goal is too easy you won’t work for it and put the effort in. Below are my goals for 2023!

goals for 2023


Goals for 2023

Below are the different categories of goals for 2023! 




Business Goals for 2023

I want to have 500 email subscribers on my email list.



I want to try running ads on social media to help me grow my list.



I want to create 150 products on my TPT store - Jackie Partridge Art. 



I want to create 10 new designs on Society6 - Jackie Partridge.





Art Goals for 2023

I want to have 2-5 new art grants this year to fund my artwork. 

I want to have 5-10 art exhibitions this year. 

I want to set up a new studio in my new house.


I want to make cyanotypes and paper this year. 



Social Media Goals for 2023

I want to have over 1000 followers on Instagram on both of my accounts - @jackiepartridge_ and @jackiepartridgeart




I want to have over 500 subscribers on YouTube - Jackie Partridge Art 





Revenue Goals for 2023

I want to have consistent 3-4 figure months of sales on TPT.

I want to be able to make my salary through my art business this year. 

I want to do 2 art markets.

I want to get my artwork into a local shop. 





Personal Goals for 2023

I want to make healthy food choices. 

I want to go for a walk daily. 





Family Goals for 2023

I want to go on a hike monthly and enjoy time in nature with my family a couple of times a month. I want to visit with family or friends once a month. I want to plan a family vacation or a couple of small getaways. I want to have a date night once a month when the baby is old enough. 


I hope you enjoyed my goals for 2023. I would love to know your goals for 2023! Let me know in the comments!



Related Articles:

Check out my goals from last year

Visit my YouTube Channel 

Visit my Society6 Store for art prints 

Visit my TPT store